Key support services

Avant's Personal Support Program (PSP) provides a range of support options to Avant members who are suffering health issues.  A central plank is six sessions of confidential, external counselling provided by Benestar, a leading global provider of corporate psychology services.

The counselling service offers objective psychological support and the provision of coping skills for a range of work-related issues such as work stress, issues with patients, personal issues relating to anxiety or depression, and legal issues around medico-legal complaints. Options available include face to face counselling, phone support or video counselling.
Contact:1300 360 364

Expert medico-legal advisors provide medico-legal advice and support to Avant members. Available 24 hours a day 7 days a week in emergencies, the service offers legal support throughout a claims process, practical advice to minimise the chance of a complaint or claim, and services to identify your exposure and prevent a recurrence.
Contact:1800 128 268

Avant Medico-legal Advisory Service

Doctors' Health Advisory Services provide personal advice to medical practitioners and students facing difficulties, personal crisis and stress.

ACT
Doctors' Health Advisory Service
24-hour phone assistance
Helpline and office: 02 9437 6552
dhas.org.au
COVID-19 Support:
24-hour confidential support line for doctors and students

NSW
Doctors' Health Advisory Service
24-hour phone assistance
Helpline and office: 02 9437 6552
dhas.org.au
COVID-19 Support:
24-hour confidential support line for doctors and students 

Northern Territory
Doctors' Health SA
24-hour phone assistance and clinical services
Helpline: 08 8366 0250
doctorshealthnt.com.au
COVID-19 Support
24-hour confidential support line for medical professionals and students
Telemed services for all NT doctors and students email telemed@doctorshealthsa.com.au
doctorshealthnt.com.au/covid19

Queensland
Doctors' Health in Queensland
24-hour phone assistance
Helpline: 07 3833 4352
dhq.org.au
COVID-19 Support:
24-hour confidential support line for doctors, medical students and their families.
Information to manage mental health during COVID emergency.

South Australia
Doctors' Health SA
24-hour phone assistance and clinical services
Helpline: 08 8366 0250
doctorshealthsa.com.au
COVID-19 Support
24-hour urgent support for doctors and medical students
GP telehealth appointments through specialised clinic which only treats medical professionals: doctorshealthsa.com.au/clinic-appointments
Find a GP near you who treats medical professionals: doctorshealthsa.com.au/find-a-gp

Tasmania
Victorian Doctors' Health Program
Helpline: 03 9280 8712
vdhp.org.au
COVID-19 Support
24-hour confidential support line for doctors and medical students
Email: vdhp@vdhp.org.au

Victoria
Peer Support Service
Phone advice service 8am - 10pm
Phone: 1300 853 338
amavic.com.au

Victorian Doctors' Health Program
Clinical services with some phone support
Phone: 03 9280 8712
vdhp.org.au
COVID-19 Support
24-hour confidential support line for doctors and medical students
Email: vdhp@vdhp.org.au

Western Australia
Doctors' Health Advisory Service
24-hour phone assistance
Helpline: 08 9321 3098
dhas.org.au
COVID-19 Support
24-hour confidential support line for medical professionals and students
Doctors for doctors: dhaswa.com.au/drs-for-drs
COVID 19 mental health in disasters information: dhaswa.com.au/mental-health-in-disasters

Doctors with Disabilities – Australia (DWDA) provides advocacy and peer support on matters associated with medical study and doctors practising with a disability.
Dwda.org.au

Wellbeing support options for rural doctors:

Bush Support Line:
1800 805 391, 24 hours per day: crana.org.au/support/about-bush-support-services

Support for Rural Specialists in Australia:
02 9256 5419
ruralspecialist.org.au

Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine:
1800 223 226
acrrm.org.au

Rural Doctors' Workforce Agency SA's Dr DOC program:
A range of support services targeted at maintaining the wellbeing of rural doctors, including practice support, financial support, and access to a wide range of specialist networks, emergency retrieval teams and locum services:
08 8234 8277 or 0417 082 411
ruraldoc.com.au/services/support-for-doctors/health-and-wellbeing/

NSW Rural Doctors' Network:
Support and outreach services for NSW's rural health workforce:
02 4924 8000
nswrdn.com.au

NSW Rural Medical Family Network:
Support and assistance to rural medical families in NSW, and assistance to medical students interested in experiencing rural general practice.
02 4924 8000
rmfn.org.au

Rural Doctors' Association of Australia:
02 6239 7730
rdaa.com.au

National Rural Health Student's Network:
02 8337 8100
nrhsn.org.au

beyondblue
1300 224 636
beyondblue.org.au

Hand-n-Hand Peer Support
www.handnhand.org.au
handnhandAU@gmail.com
#handnhandAU

Medical Benevolent Associations provide counselling, support and some financial assistance to doctors and their families during times of need.

Medical Benevolent Association – VIC - 03 9496 4309

Medical Benevolent Association - NSW and ACT - 02 9987 0504

Medical Benevolent Association - SA - 08 8267 4355

Medical Benevolent Association - QLD - 07-3872 2222

Medical Colleges
Your medical college could be a good place to get help and support. Many of the professional colleges have support systems and resources available to offer support for the specialist college members. Contact your college for details.

Download the Avant Key Support Services brochure